COEUR d’ALENE - Since 1974 the Innovia Foundation of Spokane has bettered communities across 20 counties in eastern Washington and northern Idaho, and six Native American tribes. On March 30 the foundation announced over $1 million in funding awards granted to community organization partners across the region, including 19 in Kootenai County.

Innovia seeks to serve communities by supporting five areas of impact: arts and culture, economic opportunity, education and youth development, health and well being and quality of life.

For the North Idaho Pride Alliance, the grant will allow them to address the vast needs among the LGBTQIA+ community in Kootenai County.

“Over the last year, our reach and the need in the community has at least doubled in size,” Outreach Director Jessica Mahuron said Friday.

Unaware when The Press called for comment, that the alliance had won a grant, Mahuron said she is “deeply honored,” to receive it.

The $8,000 award will be used to increase staffing, secure a brick and mortar location and increase their capacity of service.

Working in conjunction with the LGBTQIA+ people, community groups and allies, North Idaho Pride Alliance seeks to create a more inclusive society in North Idaho. They accomplish this goal through intentional community relationship building, education and advocating for LGBTQIA+ people.

“This is a huge benefit for the LGBTQIA+ community,” Mahuron said. “We are also underway in organizing for pride month events. The funding will help greatly.”

Currently Mahuron is the only staff member, serving alongside a board of volunteers. There is much more demand for assistance in the community than they can currently provide, Mahuron said. The Innovia grant will go a long way in helping to meet those needs.

Innovia Communications Manager Kevin Blocker spoke with The Press Friday and said what is unique about Innovia’s work is its partnerships with individuals, leaders and volunteers within local communities.

“We are constantly asking our community partners, ‘how can we help you?' Blocker said. 'What do you need?' They live in those communities and know best what is needed.”

For the Salvation Army Kroc Center’s Third Grade Swim Childhood Drowning Prevention program, the $4,500 grant will cover scholarships for about 180 kids to learn water safety.

The program has been in place for about 10 years and thousands of children have learned to swim and be safe around the water, said Executive Director Major Don Gilger, Friday.

Every year the Kroc Center partners with the Coeur d’Alene School District to provide a week of swim training for every third grader in the community. This is vital for an area such as ours, with so many bodies of water.

“We’re really grateful to Innovia and all of the work they do in our community helping others,” Gilger said.

Cindy Wood, executive director of Family Promise of North Idaho anticipates the grant will “allow a 30% increase in families we can serve through the shelter.”

Family Promise helps families facing homelessness or eviction. Their Shelter at it’s Best program will be supported by the $4,000 award.

“The program aims to reduce trauma and increase the support to families in shelter,” Wood said. “It is a unique time for children and their families as a whole. Dually, it offers hands-on support for volunteers and increased access to innovation.”

The grant directly impacts those served by the organization, 50% of whom are children. Family Promise strives not only to provide housing in the midst of a crisis, but to enable those families to achieve long lasting housing stability.

They provide help to about 18 families in North Idaho each year.

For Heritage Health’s Street Medicine Outreach Program, the $5,000 grant will allow for the purchase of “medical equipment that is desperately needed,” said Communications Manager Amy Boni.

The program serves the homeless population, providing necessary medical care free of charge.

“We are just super ecstatic,” Boni said.

47 years ago, a group of community and business leaders in Spokane were motivated to create a community foundation. Following the World Expo of 1974 which created a vibrant atmosphere within the community, the founders realized that the “public sector can’t do it all,” Blocker said.

Originally deemed the Inland Northwest Community Foundation, it was re-named Innovia in 2018.

Through its years of service the focus has remained on creating community partnerships to “rally around those organizations that rely on financial assistance and volunteer hours,” Blocker said.

“We partner with people who want to make our world better,” Blocker said in a press release Wednesday. “We work together to address and solve our region’s problems, help those in need, identify and respond to our greatest opportunities and leave a lasting impact.”

Each year Innovia invests close to $10 million into local communities through grants and scholarships.

Other organizations receiving funding include: Consolidated Free Library; Safe Passage; CDAIDE; CHS Viking Booster Club; Coeur d’Alene Backpack Program; Children’s Village; CASA Program; Gizmo-CDA; Growing the STEM; Heritage Health; Idaho Youth Ranch/Anchor House; Museum of North Idaho; NISSA; Specialized Needs Recreation; St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho and United Way of North Idaho.